State-owned company building nation's largest research ship

China State Shipbuilding Corp is constructing the nation's largest and most advanced research vessel, according to project leaders.

Construction of the ship, which will be named after renowned revolutionary and statesman Sun Yat-sen, started in late October at CSSC's Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai and is expected to take about two years, said Hu Keyi, head of the shipyard's science and technology committee.

Hu said the ship will have a displacement of 6,800 metric tons, making it the largest research vessel in China and surpassing the 5,000-ton Dongfanghong 3, which was also made by the shipyard and is operated by Ocean University of China in Qingdao, Shandong province.